Palace Chase, Palace Front: Continuing your career as an Airman

Courtesy Photo | Master Sgt. Billy Blair, 341st Force Support Squadron in-service recruiter, serves as the point of contact for Airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., wishing to transfer from active-duty service to a part-time commitment in the reserves. His mission is to help Airmen determine what course of action will best suit their needs and life goals. (Courtesy photo)  

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, UNITED STATES

06.22.2015

Story by Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt 

341st Missile Wing

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. - For many Airmen, the decision to stay on active duty or transition into part-time service can be a tough choice to make.

For those asking themselves whether they should stay or they should go, a trip to the Air Force Reserve in-service recruiter may help relieve some worries and provide the information needed to make a well-informed decision.

Assigned to Malmstrom, Master Sgt. Billy Blair, 341st Force Support Squadron in-service recruiter, is the man who can help Airmen make that decision.

“My main goal is to help active-duty members find out if the Air Force Reserve [or Air National Guard] is the best option,” said Blair. “It’s nice for Airmen to have a subject matter expert on hand and at their disposal for assistance.

“Each case is different,” he continued. “So my focus is to help each individual, one at a time.”

If an Airman chooses to pursue a career in the ANG, Blair will help them get into contact with the Air Guard in-service recruiter who is stationed out of Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

According to Blair, two programs encompass the full-range of options Airmen have available to continue their service in the Reserve or ANG, in either Palace Chase or Palace Front.

The Palace Front program allows Air Force members who have a separation date and are within six months of that separation date the opportunity to transfer into either Air Guard or Reserve service.

Palace Chase is a program for Airmen who would like to transition out of active service, but have no separation date. For this program, active-duty members must have completed half of their enlistment contract and must have sustainable manning levels within their career field.

“I believe both programs are beneficial in helping members achieve future success,” said Blair.

Currently there is a one-to-one service commitment contract, which means that for every year a member has left on their active-duty contract, they must serve one year in non-active service.

“There are many benefits to joining either one of these programs,” said Blair. “Each one offers military members great benefits for schooling, health care, dental care, life insurance and the ability to earn extra money each month.”

Access to quality-of-life resources are also available. Reserve and ANG members, and their families, have unlimited access to base exchanges, commissaries and even fitness centers.

For Blair, being able to help a member and see them all the way through the process is what motivates him.

“To have [Airmen] say thank you for all you’ve done; that’s what motivates me each and every day,” said Blair.

“I believe this is the best and most challenging career I’ve had in the Air Force,” he continued. “When you can impact others in a profound way and help them, it makes me proud to be a recruiter and to wear this uniform.”

For questions relating to life as a reservist or guardsman and the transfer process, contact Master Sgt. Blair at 406-731-2776, or by email at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 06.22.2015
• Date Posted: 06.22.2015 18:40
• Story ID: 167711
• Location: MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, US
• Hometown: GREAT FALLS, MT, US